Dale Carnegie once said, “Two men looked out of prison bars, one saw mud and one saw stars.” Perspective involves our point of view or attitude toward a subject. Our perspective dictates what we see in the world around us.

In life, do we see mud, or do we see stars? Today on the Apple Seed, our line-up of stories consist of storytellers Norman Walker, Rivka Willick, Linda Gorham, Diane Edgecomb, and Doug Elliott, each sharing with us that life is all “a matter of perspective.”

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

“Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts” by Norman Walker from Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts (3:43)

Norman takes the lyrics from musician Steven Foster’s last words, written on a scrap found in his pocket when he passed away on January 13, 1854.

“Mr. Peckinpaw” by Rivka Willick (Sordid Tales from Bennion’s Inbox; 5:52)

A youngster is initially unsure of the old Russian fellow who repairs their home, but comes to appreciate the man’s gratitude despite his intimidating appearance. 

“Pai & Kwan” by Linda Gorham  (Common Tales and Uncommon Fun; 10:45)

“Pai and Kwan” is a traditional Chinese tale that gives perspective on doing the right thing for the right reasons. Two brothers, one gracious and one selfish, both attempt to do a good deed for very different motives – and very different rewards.

“Dancing Spirit of the Birch” by Diane Edgecomb (In the Groves; 10:47)

A Czech folktale about a young woman who retreats into the birch trees to work, only to be daily immersed by the dancing spirit of the grove. As she befriends her mysterious dance partner, the spirit gifts her with a special treasure.  

“Fifty Thousand Bees on My Head” by Doug Elliott (Sail On Honeybee: Adventures in the Bee Yard; 16:24)

This has been an episode about perspective, about how you see the world. And sometimes our view can be shaped and changed by our observations of the natural world. And there's no more up-close view of the natural world, perhaps, than having fifty thousand bees on your head. Here's Naturalist and storyteller, Doug Elliott to share that perspective.